ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
Veterans Day 14 Jan 2021
Indian Armed Forces will be celebrating Veteran’s Day on 14 Jan 2021. The day was chosen as recognition of the services rendered by the first Commander-in-Chief of Indian Armed Forces, Field Marshal KM Cariappa, OBE who retired on this day in 1953. ‘Wreath Laying Ceremonies and Veteran’s Meets’ are being organised in various Military Stations to mark our solidarity towards the Next of Kin  of our brave hearts and towards our veterans as a mark of respect to their selfless duty and sacrifices towards the Nation.
HonourableRakshaMantri, Shri Rajnath Singh along with Chief of Defence Staff, General BipinRawat will be attending the Veteran’s Meet at Air Force Station, Bengaluru. NoK, Veterans and representatives of various ex-servicemen organisations will be in attendance.
Celebrations in the National Capital will begin in the morning with the Wreath Laying Ceremony at National War Memorial. Senior military dignitaries, selected serving personnel and many veterans will be paying homage at the National War Memorial. This event will be followed by a Veteran’s Meet being organised at Raina Auditorium, APS DhaulaKuan which will be attended by all three Service Chiefs. Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of Naval Staff will be the Chief Guest for the event. Veterans, representatives of ex-servicemen organisations, senior officials of Ministry of Defence and three Services involved in welfare of veterans will be in attendance. Entry is restricted and by invitation only due to COVID restrictions.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
MSP Operations during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21
In the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season  2020-21, Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at its MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes.
Paddy procurement for Kharif 2020-21 has progressed smoothly in the procuring States & UTs of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Jharkhand with purchase of over 422.01 LMTs of paddy up to 21.12.2020 against the last year corresponding purchase of 346.10 LMT showing an increase of 21.93 % over last year. Out of the total purchase of 422.01 LMT, Punjab alone has purchased 202.77 LMT till the close of procurement season in the state on 30.11.2020 which is 48.05% of total procurement in the country.
About 50.77 Lac farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing KMS procurement Operations with MSP value of Rs. 79675.58 Crore.
Further, based on the proposal from the States, approval was accorded for procurement of 51.66 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds of Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh under Price Support Scheme . Further, sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra  for the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also given. For other States/UTs, approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under PSS so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers, if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State nominated procuring agencies.
Upto 21.12.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 209700.17 MT of Moong, Urad, Groundnut Pods and Soyabean having MSP value of Rs. 1123.62 Crores benefitting 115432 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Similarly, 5089 MT of copra  having MSP value of Rs.52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu upto 21.12.2020 as against the last year corresponding purchase of 293.34 MT of copra. In respect of Copra and Urad, rates are ruling above MSP in most of the major producing States. The respective State/UTs Governments are making necessary arrangements for commencement of procurement from the date as decided by the respective States based on the arrivals in respect of Kharif Pulses and Oilseeds.
Procurement operations of seed cotton  under MSP are going on smoothly in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Karnataka. Till 21.12.2020 a quantity of 6069485 cotton bales valuing Rs.17772.90 Crore has been procured benefitting 1174689 farmers.
Ministry of Finance
The Union Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jailey holds Pre-Budget consultations with the Finance Ministers of States/ Union Territories.
The Union Finance Minister ,Shri Arun Jaitley held the Pre-Budget consultations with the Finance Ministers of all the States and UTs  at Vigyan Bhawan in the national capital today.Both the Ministers of State for Finance were also present. The Meeting was attended among others by the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and Puducherry, the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Manipur and Tamil Nadu,14 Finance Ministers / Ministers representing their States and Senior Officers from States.
Representatives from the State Governments presented their views and offered number of suggestions on various fiscal policy and budgetary measures that the Union Government may consider.
The Union Finance Minister Shri Jaitley stated that the suggestions made by the States / UTs in the meeting and the memorandam submitted by them would be duly examined and suitably considered while formulating the Budget proposals of 2018-19, keeping in consideration with the spirit of cooperative federalism.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves release of additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to Pensioners, due from 01.07.2022
The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the release of additional instalment of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief @ 4% to Central Government employees and pensioners due from 01.07.2022 based on the percentage increase in 12 monthly average of All India Consumer Price Index for the period ending June, 2022.
The Central Government employees and pensioners will become entitled to higher amount of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief respectively, w.e.f. 01.07.2022.
The additional financial implications on account of this increase of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees are estimated at Rs.6,591.36 crore per annum; and Rs.4,394.24 crore in the financial year 2022-23 .
The additional financial implications on account of this increase of Dearness Relief to pensioners are estimated at Rs.6,261.20 crore per annum; and Rs.4,174.12 crore in the financial year 2022-23 .
The combined impart on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief would be of the order of Rs.12,852.56 crore per annum; and Rs.8,568.36 crore in the financial year 2022-23 .
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Prasar Bharati  records massive digital growth in 2020
Pakistan second highest digital audience for DD and AIR
In 2020, Digital channels of Prasar Bharati across DD and Akashvani have registered more than 100% growth, clocking over a Billion Digital Views and over 6 Billion Digital Watch Minutes.
During 2020, NewsOnAir App added more than 2.5 million users with the platform registering over 300 million views with Live Radio streaming featuring over 200 streams being most popular feature.
Keeping company with DD National and DD News, in the top 10 digital channels of Prasar Bharati, are Marathi News from DD Sahyadri, Kannada programming on DD Chandana, Bangla News from DD Bangla, and Telugu programming on DD Saptagiri.
While DD Sports and Akashvani Sports have created a steady digital following with live commentary, Prasar Bharati Archives and DD Kisan have been steady digital performers featuring in top 10.
Underscoring the substantial digital audience for news from the Northeast, Northeast service of All India Radio News is also in the top 10, and incidentally has crossed the 100k subscribers digital milestone.
Interestingly during 2020, Pakistan accounts for the second highest digital audience for DD and AIR content after domestic audience from within India, with the United States close behind.
Amongst the most popular digital videos during 2020 are PM Modi's interactions with school students, Republic Day Parade 2020 and a rare video of Shakuntala Devi from DD National archives, circa 1970s.
A dedicated Prasar Bharati YouTube channel for all Sanskrit language content was launched in 2020, wherein all Radio and TV content being produced in Sanskrit launguage across DD-AIR nationwide network are uploaded, for easy access to viewers.
Dedicated Mann Ki Baat YouTube channel and Twitter handle have seen rapid growth in 2020, with Mann Ki Baat updates Twitter handle now having more than 67,000 followers. The YouTube channel has regional language versions of different episodes of Mann Ki Baat.
Almost 1500 Radio Plays in different Indian languages are available across DD-AIR Netwok, which are now being digitised and uploaded on our YouTube channels.
Thousands of hours of educational content and teleclassesare now available on our YouTube channels in different Indian languages.
Rare Archival content of great historical value, available only with DD-AIR, are being digitsed and uploaded on Prasar Bharati Archives YouTube channel. In public interest, a dedicated team is working to dig out such musical, cultural, political content from thousands of tapes recorded over many decades in various stations of DD and AIR across the country. So that these content are available in public domain witheasy access to all for academic and research purposes.
Saurabh Singh
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Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
With friendship and loyalty as central themes, German film Night Forest premiers at IFFI 52
We wanted to create a realistic adventure: Director Katrin Milhahn at IFFI 52
Panaji, 27 November, 2021
“Night Forest is a children’s film but adults can also relate to this film. It is a fun film that everyone in a family can watch together”, said Katrin Milhahn, Director of the film Night Forest, in a press conference at the 52nd International Film Festival of India in Goa today.
The film had its Asia Premiere at the 52nd IFFI. It is also competing for the ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal at the IFFI 52. André Hörmann is the other filmmaker of the film.
The film is a portrayal of the lives of two best friends and how they go on a summer adventure of a lifetime. They experience freedom and face great dangers and obstacles throughout the course of the film.
The filmmaker Katrin Milhahn is a noted writer and has written for many films and TV series including “We were Just Playing”, Little Miss Dolittle among others.
Milhahn explained, “We wanted to create a realistic adventure. It is about a son who has lost his father and he is trying to make peace with that. It’s also about friendship and loyalty and believing in your dreams and not being defined by the society.”
On facing many challenges while making the film, she said, “We shot in the middle of the pandemic so it was hard to cast the actors. In Germany, we had very strict laws regarding child actors, they were only allowed on set for four hours. We were really fortunate to find the two boys who did an amazing job and we were able to finish our work in a small amount of time.”
Showing trailer of the film at the conference, Milhahn said, “In the beginning, we didn’t want to put any music but then we decided to put two original songs. The music has given a new dimension to the film.”
The Director who started her career as a screenwriter said that “Normally as a writer of any film, you are excluded from certain parts of the process. So, I decided to try making a film by myself and I am glad I could do justice to it.”
Prime Minister's Office
Naga culture is synonymous with vibrancy, valour and respect towards nature: PM
Responding to the tweet thread by PHED and Cooperation Minister in Government of Nagaland, Shri Jacob Zhimomi, the Prime Minister said "A good thread on the spectacular Naga culture on display during one of the G20 programmes. Naga culture is synonymous with vibrancy, valour and respect towards nature."
In a tweet thread Shri Jacob Zhimomi spoke about wholeheartedly welcoming all the delegates of G-20 to Kohima, Nagaland.
He also said that the delegates were welcomed by the traditional Naga dance performed by energetic Naga brothers and sisters.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
Prime Minister's Office
India-Seychelles High Level Virtual Event 
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will take part in a high level virtual event with the President of the Republic of Seychelles H.E. Wavel Ramkalawan on April 8, 2021 to inaugurate a range of Indian projects in Seychelles.
The high level virtual event will feature the following:
A) Joint e-inauguration of the new Magistrates’ Court Building in Seychelles;
B) Handing over of a Fast Patrol Vessel to Seychelles Coast Guard;
C) Handing over of a 1 MW Solar Power Plant;
D) Inauguration of 10 High Impact Community Development Projects .
The new Magistrates’ Court Building in the capital city Victoria, is India’s first major civil infrastructure project in Seychelles built with grant assistance. The Magistrates’ Court is a state of the art building which will substantially enhance the capacity of the Seychelles judicial system and aid in better delivery of judicial services to the people of Seychelles.
The 50-m Fast Patrol Vessel, which is a modern and fully equipped naval ship, has been made in India by M/s GRSE, Kolkata, and is being gifted to Seychelles under Indian grant assistance to strengthen its maritime surveillance capabilities.
The 1 MW ground-mounted Solar power plant at the Romainville Island of Seychelles has been completed as part of the ‘Solar PV Democratization Project’ being implemented in Seychelles by the Government of India under grant assistance.
The virtual event will also see the handing over of 10 High Impact Community Development Projects  implemented by the High Commission of India in collaboration with local bodies, educational and vocational institutions.
Seychelles occupies a central place in the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ - ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’. The inauguration of these key projects demonstrates India’s privileged and time-tested role as a reliable partner of Seychelles for meeting its infrastructural, developmental and security requirements and is a testimony to the deep and friendly ties between the people of India and Seychelles.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Ajay Kumar Mishra participated as Chief Guest in the International Day of Yoga 2022 at Kargil
On the occasion of International Day of Yoga 2022, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Ajay Kumar Mishra participated as the Chief Guest at the Yoga function in Kargil in Ladakh today, along with officials of the Union Territory of Ladakh, other dignitaries and students.
Shri Ajay Kumar Mishra speaking on the occasion said that it is his privilege to celebrate the International Day of Yoga in Kargil and appreciated the role and contribution of the people of Ladakh in the development of the country. He said Yoga should be adopted by all.
Shri Ajay Kumar Mishra said that Yoga has been recognized and adopted by crores of people across the world, due to the efforts of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. Due to these efforts on this day crores of people across the world are taking part in the International Day of Yoga.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Union Minister for Labour & Employment felicitates ESIC Women COVID Warriors on International Women’s Day
ESIC settles 4622 claims of Maternity Benefit and 493 claims of Confinement Expenses paid Rs. 33.75 Crore during Iconic Week of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
Shri Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, facilitated women doctors, Nurses and Paramedical Staff of ESIC Hospitals during the COVID 19 pandemic throughout India. Total 09 officials were selected for award from different ESIC Hospitals of the country viz. from Karnataka, New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Noida, Faridabad and Delhi, 03 top achievers out of these 09 candidates were felicitated by Shri Bhupender Yadav.
ESIC pays periodical payment for 26 weeks to the Insured Women  in case of confinement or miscarriage or sickness arising out of pregnancy, premature birth of child or miscarriage or to surrogate and adopting mother.
To mark the celebration of Iconic Week of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and its coincidence with International Women’s Day, maximum pending maternity cases throughout India were settled by 08.03.2022.
There were 4961 claims for maternity benefit cases and 528 claims for confinement expenses cases in ESIC. Out of these claims, total 4622 claims of maternity benefit and 493 claims of confinement expenses have been settled and an amount of Rs. 33.75 Crore has been paid. The remaining claims will also be settled during the Iconic Week.
PIB Headquarters
BSNL Presents Christmas and New Year Offer
BSNL has launched attractive Christmas and New Year offer for its subscribers with 60 days extra validity in Plan 1999 which gives unlimited calls to any network, 3 Gb/day data and 100 SMS/ day now for 425 days instead of 365 days. Plan 1999 comes with additional features like BSNL Tunes an BSNL TV subscription free for 365 days. This offer will be available from 25th December 2019 to 31st January 2020.
BSNL has recently launched another attractive voucher for Rs.97/- which offers unlimited calls to any network, 2 Gb/day and 1000 SMS along with BSNL TV subscription for 18 days.
It is also informed that BSNL is committed to offer excellent services at affordable price to its subscribers, according to the press release issued by Mr.Sheetla Prasad, DIR , BSNL
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Cabinet approves signing of MoU between Brazil and India for bilateral cooperation in the field of early childhood
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for signing of Memorandum of Understanding  on Cooperation between the Ministry of Citizenship of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Ministry of Women & Child Development of the Republic of India for bilateral cooperation in the field of early childhoods.
Benefits
It will strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two countries and increase bilateral cooperation on the issues of early childhood care. Both countries will benefit from exchange of best practices of the respective countries in the field of early childhood.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Hike in Pension
Government of India in February, 2019 launched Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan , a voluntary and contributory pension Scheme, for the benefit of unorganized workers, as per eligibility. The scheme assures minimum monthly pension of Rs. 3000 to the beneficiaries after attaining the age of 60 years. All unorganized workers, in the age group of 18-40 years, whose monthly income is up to Rs. 15,000 and who are not members of Employees’ Provident Fund Organization or Employees’ State Insurance Corporation or National Pension System  and are also not income tax payers, are eligible to enroll under the Scheme. The subscriber is required to pay the prescribed monthly contribution amount and the Central Government provides the equal matching contribution. This Scheme is implemented through Life Insurance Corporation of India. Enrollment under the Scheme can be done through any of the Common Service Centres across the country.
Further, vide notification No. G.S.R. 593  dated 19.08.2014, a minimum pension of Rs. 1000 per month has been fixed with effect from 01.09.2014 for the pensioners under Employees' Pension Scheme , 1995 framed under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, applicable to establishments which belong to industries and classes of establishments listed in Schedule-I and where number of employees is 20 or more. No decision has been taken at present to further enhance the minimum pension under EPS, 1995.
Further, Atal Pension Yojana  was launched in May, 2015, by the Government of India, and Indian Citizens between the age group of 18 to 40 years are eligible to join APY through their savings bank account or post office savings bank account. Depending upon the pension plan selected, each subscriber under APY shall receive a guaranteed minimum pension of Rs. 1000/- per month or Rs. 2000/- per month or Rs. 3000/- per month or Rs. 4000/- per month or Rs. 5000/- per month, after the age of 60 years until his/her death.
This information was given by Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar Union Minister of State  for Labour and Employment in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
41.78 Cr. Vaccine Doses administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
3,04,29,339 total recoveries across the country so far
Recovery Rate currently at 97.35%
38,652 patients recovered during last 24 hours
India reports 41,383 new cases in last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload currently at 4,09,394
Active cases constitute 1.31% of total cases
Weekly Positivity Rate remainsbelow5%, currently at 2.12%
Daily positivity rate at 2.41%, less than 3% for 31consecutive days
Testing capacity substantially ramped up – 45.09cr tests total conducted
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
448 notices served to E-Commerce entities for violations of declaration during last one year and nine months
Approximately Rs 78 lakh penalty charged from e-commerce companies as compounding fees for violation of declaration
The Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today informed that the Legal metrology  Rules 2011 under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 provides that an E-Commerce entity shall ensure that name and address of the manufacturer or packer or importer, maximum Retail Price , Country of Origin, Common or Generic name of the commodity, Net Quantity, Month and Year of manufacture, Customer Care details etc shall be displayed on the digital and electronic network used for e-commerce transactions. This is to ensure that the consumer is taking an informed and conscious decision based on the declaration of the product on the E-Commerce platform.
For violations of declaration by e-commerce companies, 38 notices during the period of 16th October, 2020 to 31st December, 2020, 232 notices during the period 1st January 2021 to 31st December, 2021 and 178 notices during the period 1st January, 2022 to 11th July, 2022 have been issued by the Legal Metrology Division, Department of Consumer Affairs and an amount of approximately Rs. 77, 90,500/- in the form of compounding fees has been realized from e-commerce companies. State Governments are also empowered to take actions in cases of violation of the Legal Metrology , Rules 2011.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves transfer of land at Ranchi by Heavy Engineering Corporation  Limited, to the Jharkhand Government
Cabinet approves transfer of land at Ranchi by Heavy Engineering Corporation  Limited, to the Jharkhand Government
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for Monetisation of land not currently in use by Heavy Engineering Corporation  Limited, Ranchi, through transfer of 675.43 acres of HEC land to the Jharkhand Government. It would help in raising Rs. 742.98 crore to HEC and the money would be utilised for liquidation of employee related statutory dues viz. Gratuity, PF, Leave encashment and other retirement benefits to the retired employees. The money will also help HEC to liquidate its Government dues, bankers' dues and other immediate liabilities.
The transfer of land will also meet the requirements of Jharkhand Government for its Smart City project and other development projects in the State capital in the larger public interest.